History of Machans Beach, Cairns

Machans Beach is named after Richard Machan, always known as Dick, who was the first permanent resident of the area. He moved to the area, then known as Barron’s Beach, in 1924 with his daughter and three sons, following the death of his wife Christina and purchased the leasehold of 250 acres. A businessman and tourism entrepreneur Machan had many business ventures including a fire wood supply company and a tourist operation driving customers between the beach and Cairns in his T Model Ford.